How to switch tracks in graduate school?

[WannabeCP]

Hi, I’m between a rock and a hard place here and could really use some help…

Here’s my dilemma: I’m in the first semester of a social psychology PhD program, but have recently discovered midway through that, as convinced as I once was, I really don’t want a career in social psychology…GREAT. After doing a lot of research (and soul-searching) I believe counseling psychology would be a better fit for my interests and abilities. Now, I understand that a lot of people, including many contributors to this forum, would advise against quitting the program, at least not without a masters, as it could show future admissions committees and employers a lack of commitment, which they could see as a liability if not a glaring character flaw (i.e. I was once “certain” before but then quit—how can they be sure it won’t happen again?). I completely understand this argument and whole-heartedly agree that it could very well communicate that trait. BUT, I’ve made the personal decision that it’s not worth it to me to be unhappy for a year and a half (the time it would take to get the masters), working myself to the bone for a degree I don’t need and won’t use.

If I quit after this quarter, I could work on finding a job related to counseling, getting experience that will help me be certain it’s what I want to do as well as possibly help with admissions (I plan on applying a year from now, next fall). On the other hand, if I wait until the end of the academic year, I have the chance to pick up some courses/credit that may transfer (but may not), as well as keep a reliable income (fellowship) while gaining more research experience. Not to mention the plus of not having to spend half a year surrounded by people who might shun me for dropping out (i.e. my lab mates are best friends with my roommates—the only people I know in this city are the people in the department).

So, my question is this (if you’ve made it this far, you’re amazing and I can’t thank you enough): Do I drop out as soon as this semester’s over? Or finish out the second semester and quit at the end of the school year?? ANY advice at this point would be greatly appreciated—thank you!!

[stcardsfan]

Originally Posted by WannabeCP

After doing a lot of research (and soul-searching) I believe counseling psychology would be a better fit for my interests and abilities.

On the other hand, if I wait until the end of the academic year, I have the chance to pick up some courses/credit that may transfer (but may not), as well as keep a reliable income (fellowship) while gaining more research experience. Not to mention the plus of not having to spend half a year surrounded by people who might shun me for dropping out (i.e. my lab mates are best friends with my roommates—the only people I know in this city are the people in the department).

[Emphasis mine].

I see a couple of solutions here, correct me if I'm wrong.

You need to find out NOW if your credits in Social Psych will transfer over to Counseling (do you plan on switching schools for this?) If they will, I would say finish out the semester, maybe even the year (if your courses next semester will transfer as well) -- and you said you will still be getting paid, right?

Also, based on your labmates/roommates comment, I think you need to actively search for other friends as well. Join groups, clubs, pick up tennis/basketball/etc., go out by yourself, do things to meet new people. Don't worry if they will 'shun' you for quitting -- it is YOUR life, not theirs. Who cares what they think?

Hope this helps and good luck with your decision!

[MagicalRealist]

You're only in your first semester; go ahead and leave if that's what you want to do.

I got into a PhD program in the humanities a few years back, decided I hated it during the first quarter, and got halfway through the second quarter before finally deciding to leave. I've never regretted doing so; it was the right decision.

Not to mention the plus of not having to spend half a year surrounded by people who might shun me for dropping out (i.e. my lab mates are best friends with my roommates—the only people I know in this city are the people in the department).

Trust me, nobody will shun you for dropping out. Why should they? What makes you think they would?

If they do, they aren't your friends. If you're staying in grad school so people won't shun you, you're there for the wrong reason.

You don't know anybody in your city who isn't in your program? Go out and meet people. Volunteer. Find a job. If there is a meetup group for your particular hobbies or interests, attend. If you want to get into counseling, you'll probably end up working with people who are fearful of making big life changes and who are socially isolated--if you can't help yourself in that way, how are you going to help them?

[funchy]

If this is your first semester, it should not be a big deal. Talk to your advisor to see what your options are. Also, see if you can get some of these classes to transfer. Then make your decision on how best to get back in the right direction.

[WannabeCP]

Thanks guys—the advice of each of you has been very helpful these past few weeks in making a decision.

Stcardsfan and MagicalRealist, you are absolutely right about the friends issue. When I said “shun,” I did not mean that they would actively ostracize me, just that there would be some distancing, which I suppose is understandable to a degree. But it has since occurred to me that there already is distance there, our “friendship” (like most of theirs it appears) is pretty superficial—a couple of them have outright stated that they don’t get attached to people and don’t feel any need to stay in touch when they or a friend moves away. I suppose that’s fine if that’s the way you live your life, but it’s certainly not anyone I want to invest too deeply in as a friend.

I recognized that problem, and recognized the solution(s) (the same as those you suggested), however, catch 22, right now it’d be damn near impossible to implement. At this stage in this particular program, there really is no time for anything extracurricular. I’m not making excuses here--believe me, I would go out on the weekends and make friends, join a gym, join several clubs, WHATEVER, there just literally is no time for anything but schoolwork at least in the first year here.

So, I've decided to drop out of the program as soon as this quarter is over. In my "off time" before matriculating into a counseling program, I can gain experience (and do the things above) that I simply wouldn't have time to do while in this program. I figure leaving mid-year, as opposed to the end of the year, will give future admission committees (not to mention myself) greater confidence that I know what I'm getting into and not just wandering aimlessly.

Originally I was hesitant to leave sooner rather than later because I'd be giving up potential transfer credit, research experience, letters of recommendation from my advisor/professors, and a guaranteed salary with health insurance. Then it suddenly dawned on me that leaving now does not preclude me from getting all of those things elsewhere over the next year (okay, the job/benefits is a bit trickier), and in fact elsewhere is actually better as I can seek out opportunities specifically relevant to clinical/counseling. Not to mention the fact that a letter from anyone in the program one’s dropped out of may be less than glowing.

So my next plan is to leave, land a job in a related area (I actually have an interview next week...), take some counseling courses as a non-degree earning student at another university, impress my professors, hopefully get some research experience with them, then apply next fall and repeat in the year "off." Yeah, completely rearranging my life and starting over is a huge pain in the a** (and the wallet), but for the first time in several months I actually feel optimistic about the future...And that makes it all worth it.